Page 59 of Guardian Daddy

“In case I ever make you breakfast.”

“Oh. I can’t see why that would happen, but in that case, a bagel with cream cheese and strawberry jelly is my favorite breakfast. And I’m sorry you didn’t get to eat brunch.”

“Don’t be. I’m enjoying this sandwich far more.”

Hmm. He actually seemed sincere when he said that.

“So the stalker left another note?” she asked, returning to what he’d initially told her. It wasn’t that she hadn’t heard him. Or was ignoring that part.

But she needed a moment to think about it. And this whole stalker situation scared her. The one thing that frightened her more than anything else was the idea of something happening to Rhodes.

He meant everything to her. And she wasn’t sure what she’d do if anything happened to him.

“Samantha seemed very upset. She’s concerned about Rhodes?” she asked.

“This letter deviated from the other one in that it seemed like a threat to Samantha.”

“Why would they threaten her?” she asked.

“Basically, the message said that the stalker wanted Rhodes all to themselves. And that they would get rid of anyone who stood in their way. There was also a photo of Rhodes and Samantha together with Samantha’s face slashed out.”

“Oh no. That’s terrible.” As much as she and Samantha didn’t get along, she wouldn’t wish her any ill-will.

And Rhodes seemed to care about her. So Cate tried to at least be civil.

“No wonder she’s upset,” Cate said.

Ethan nodded, still studying her closely. Was there something more he wanted to say?

“She wants to move in here so we can protect her as well.”

Cate frowned slightly as she thought about that. She took a sip of apple juice. “But if this person is threatening to hurt her for being close to Rhodes, wouldn’t it be more logical for her to stay away from Rhodes?”

“That would be the logical thought. But emotions aren’t always logical.”

“Oh, I know.” That’s why she often ran into problems. While she was better than she used to be, people’s emotions could still be hard for her to distinguish.

“So she wants to stay close to Rhodes because of her feelings for him?” she asked.

“I expect that she feels safer with him than being on her own. She cares about him and he feels the same, so I would expect he makes her feel safe. Also, he has bodyguards.” He grinned at her. “I heard that they’re okay. Sort of good at their jobs.”

“That’s good to know,” she replied seriously even though she guessed he was joking by his grin. “I do hope that they’re able to deliver more than a mediocre performance when it comes to protecting my brother.”

The smile dropped off his face. “We’re here to protect you as well.”

“Again, I’m the least important person here. The stalker isn’t interested in me.”

He frowned. “You are not the least important person here. Keep saying that and see what happens.”

Cate gave him a startled look. She wanted to ask what would happen, however perhaps she didn’t want to know.

“And you were home alone when someone attempted to break in.”

She didn’t want to think about that. Or talk about it.

Her therapist was trying to work with her on getting her to talk about that night. But sometimes some things were best locked up tight and forgotten.

Well, that was her plan anyway.

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